Music Accelerator for Under-resourced Youth

Access to tech and creative industry employment

County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

Applying a proven solution to a new issue or sector (using an existing model, tool, resource, strategy, etc. for a new purpose)

In 2024, the LA County Youth Commission released a year-end report which revealed that, of 785 LA County youth, 69% reported a desire for music programming. These youth also identified employment (36%) and education (34%) as areas they wanted The
Youth Commission to advocate for on their behalf. Notably, 42% were system-impacted youth. Further, an overwhelming majority identified as Black (30%) or Hispanic (55%), two groups who have historically been under-resourced and negatively impacted by
systems. Thus, it is clear that an educational music program which provides opportunities for career growth meets the needs of many LA County Youth, specifically those from marginalized communities. The lack of current resources prevents many talented
individuals from pursuing careers in music despite their talents. This limits the field of novel, diverse, and meaningful perspectives. We believe that these youth deserve accessible opportunities to create music.

The proposed music accelerator program will educate under-resourced youths with musical promise who are interested in pursuing a career in music. There will be three terms per year, each featuring cohorts of four to five youths who will spend four months
developing their skills through workshops led by industry professionals. They will create monetizable assets in the form of a collaborative fully produced Extended Play (EP) recording made up of five to seven songs. Witease Music will provide support for
distribution, marketing, and branding. Additionally, the non-profit Urban Promise LA, which serves the development of under-resourced youths in Canoga Park, LA, will help identify and support talented youths. Urban Promise youth mentors will offer ongoing
guidance and peer support. The program will provide youths in LA the opportunity to develop transferable skills in areas such as project management, business development, administrative operations, and direct leadership. Graduates of the program will leave with monetizable assets, a music distribution deal, and a practical understanding of how to generate revenue in today’s evolving music landscape. This initiative is designed to nurture deserving creators while also cultivating the next wave of music business leaders.

By the end of the grant period, the program will have provided 12-15 under-resourced youths with a comprehensive education of the music industry and a clear pathway to pursue careers within it. Artists will leave the program with polished assets and the
support needed to distribute them. This support will be provided through efforts such as playlist pitching to digital service providers, securing synchronization licensing opportunities, and strategically positioning artists for media placements and brand partnerships.
An additional 12-15 youths from Urban Promise LA will gain leadership experience by serving as peer mentors. We plan to grow and sustain this model for years to come so that we may continue to discover independent artists and create opportunities for them–especially those from underrepresented and underserved backgrounds. Further, we will ensure that youth participants receive the guidance they need to create art that leaves a positive impact on LA and the larger world.